Jajpur: Gross violation of a high court order which had ordered proper management of rainwater in mining regions by the OMC and IDC-owned mines had come to the fore.
Mining officials of South Kaliapani Chromite Mines and Sukurangi Chromite Mines (OMC) and a few other mines of IDC didn’t pay heed to the direction of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), a report said.
This resulted in contamination of Damshala nullah water which is considered to be the lifeline of people in the mining areas of Jajpur and Dhenkanal districts, it added.
Meanwhile, the state pollution control board (SPCB) directed authorities to take safety measure ahead of rainy season so that people don’t get affected by it.
The Orissa High Court had given an important ruling over proper management of flowing rain water in April 2014. Based on the order, IBM, SPCB and mining officials of Jajpur Road conducted a joint probe. SPCB’s environment expert Bijay Kumar Sethi, mining officer Asit Kumar Behera, Dr S Kerketa of forest and environment ministry and IBM’s deputy controller LH Changte were part of the team.
Talarangi Chromite Mines of IDC, IMFA’s Sukinda Chromite Mines and Mahagiri Chromite Mines, OMC’s South Kaliapani and Sukurangi mines, Jindal’s Kaliapani mines have failed to manage rainwater, the findings revealed. None of the mines followed the norms of the mining plan, it said.
Taking note of the findings seriously, SPCB had asked all mines owners operating in the area to set up good quality effluent treatment plant (ETP) and online water quality monitoring system before the advent of rainy season. While other mines carried out the order, both the government agencies – OMC and IDC- didn’t bother to execute it. Apart from IBM’s suggestions, a warning issued by SC Mohanty, chairman of the state environment impact assessment authority (SEIAA) had also no impact on them, the report stated.
Meanwhile, the mine area would be in the clutch of toxic water with higher percentage of nickel content during rainy season over next two months. Ground water would also be contaminated unless toxic water is treated and disposed of properly, it was learnt.
Over 10,000 people of Kamarda, Mashasahi, Hatisahi, Saruabila, Gurujang, Ostapal, Kuchidabanka, Kusumghut, Kalarangi and Ramsol of Jajpur district are likely to be affected by the menace.
Besides, people of Krushnapur, Odisha, Barua, Mathakhoksa and Balighati village under Bhuban block of Dhenkanal also run the risk of contracting waterborne and other diseases due to poor management of rainwater in mining belts. Locals who are dependent on the water of Damshala nullah are in a state of panic over the issue.
When contacted, SPCB’s regional officer for Kalinganagar area Anup Kumar Mallik said OMC and IDC authorities have recently taken measures for proper treatment of effluents. While 80 per cent of the job is over at IDC-owned mines, OMC’s case has been delayed due to problem in tendering process, Mallik informed and expected that systems would be in place by 2017. PNN